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Creating Monsters to take Grime Live international following major investment

Serial entrepreneur Richard Upshall has increased his presence in the music industry with a six-figure investment in music production, management and artist development label, Creating Monsters Ltd.

The investment perfectly complements Richard’s existing activities in the industry, through his company, RU Listening, an artist management and recording label.

Richard, who will become chairman of the London-based company, will be working alongside Creating Monsters Ltd’s Managing Director and founder, Matthew Haynes.

In addition to managing artists such as Alice Olivia, DJ Ironik, Scorcher and new production super group Designer Doubt, Creating Monsters also own the rights to Grime Live, which brings together the UK’s best Grime and Urban acts performing live under one roof. The event has previously been held at The 02 arena and featured performances from some of the biggest Grime artists such as Giggs, Devlin, AJ Tracey, Big Narstie, Ghetts, Fekky and Scorcher.

Grime Live III will take place towards the end of 2017, as will its first international show which is heading to the Middle East for the first Dubai takeover.

The project will reunite Richard and Matthew who have previously worked together at RU Listening, where Matthew supported the establishment of the business as a recording label, adding to its artist management activities, last year. He has worked in various roles across the A&R divisions of companies such as Universal Records, Britain’s Got Talent and GUT Records before launching Creating Monsters Ltd in 2014.

Matthew Haynes, Managing Director said, “Richard’s investment is part of a huge development for the company, which comes at an exciting time for British music.

“With Richard’s involvement and financial backing, people can expect a lot of big releases from us in the future, as well as the exciting prospect of taking Grime Live to international territories, which will help us bring some of the most talented mcs and rappers in the world to new audiences.”

Richard Upshall added, “Grime is definitely having its moment and making its way into the mainstream, so I couldn’t think of a better time to get involved with a project like this.

With a combination of my entrepreneurial experience and passion for music, together with Matthew’s impressive industry expertise, I’m sure that Creating Monsters has a very promising and exciting future.”

He also heads of the RU group of businesses, which includes sports management company, RU Active Sports, professional services practice, RU Consulting, offshore skills and competency business, RU Training and record label and artist & actor representatives, RU Listening.